Happy Saturday, friends! Today I’m excited to shine a spotlight on The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams by Victoria Williamson. Special thanks to The Write Reads for having me on this massive tour!
Hi friends, as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours I’m shining a spotlight on The Alchemy of Moonlight by Dave Ferarro. The cover is definitely what caught my eye firstโI love it!
Click the banner above or here to check out the other incredible bloggers on the blog tour!
The Alchemy of Moonlight
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Publication Date: 30 May 2023
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rep: LGBTQIA+, Black
When Emileโs aunt declares he must marry or be disowned for being gayโhe runs away to hide as a servant in Count Montoniโs mansion. In their service, Emile tends to the family who all suffer a strange affliction on the full moon. And after overhearing suspicious family arguments, he finds a body on the estate, drawing the attention of a handsome doctor as well as the countโs charismatic nephew, Henri.
Before Emile can sort out his affections or unravel the growing Montoni family mystery, his identity is revealed and his aunt comes to collect him.
When she arrives, Count Montoni forces everyone to depart to the remote Udolpho Castleโwhere there are no witnesses and no chance for escape. There, Emile realizes that he will have to risk his life to find the love he deservesโand survive the Montoni family.
Mentions of dead bodies, dismemberment, blood, homophobia
David Ferraro grew up in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where he was raised on a steady diet of comic books, horror movies and YA novels. He graduated with a B.A. in English and creative writing from St. Cloud State University, and currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his boyfriend and a very spoiled tortoise. He is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary. His debut โThe Alchemy of Moonlightโ is set to be published from Page Street Kids in Spring 2023.
Author’s Socials
Websiteย |ย Twitterย |ย Instagramย |ย Goodreads
Is The Alchemy of Moonlight on your TBR or does it sound like a book you want to read?
Hello, hello, friends! I’m here to share a COVER REVEAL today for First Meet Foul by Jaqueline Snowe. I’m so glad that I discovered this author’s romances last year because I’ve come to love each new release that I’ve read by her more and more! ๐ Check out what this new sports romance is about and when it’s releasing down below and don’t forget to add the book to your TBRs if this sounds like your jam!
Hi friends, as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours I’m shining a spotlight on Last Sunrise in Eterna by Amapro Ortiz. This is the first day of the tour and there are plenty of awesome posts to come so don’t forget to check out the other blogger posts too!
Click the banner above or here to check out the other incredible bloggers on the blog tour!
Last Sunrise in Eterna
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Publication Date: 28 March 2023
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Rep: Puerto Rican
Three teenagers are invited to spend seven days on the secluded island floating off the coast of Puerto Rico to learn the magic of the elves.
All they have to do is give up their dreams.
Seventeen-year-old goth Sevim Burgos hates elves. Everyone else on earth loves the elves (especially their handsome princes) and would give anything to participate in Eternaโs annual Exchange, where three teens can trade their dreams for a week of elven magic.
But Sevim knows things most people donโt. She can see through the illusions the elves use to conceal their crimes. Ever since elves killed her father, Sevim has longed for revenge. So to help support her single mother, she has been selling abandoned elf corpses on the black market.
But it turns out that the elf prince Aro has noticed Sevim bodysnatching, so he kidnaps her mother in retaliation. To get her mother back, Sevim must participate in the Exchange.
In the home of the elves, Sevim will have to surrender her dreams and put her trust in the charming prince who took the last family member she has in order to master the art of elf magic. And in working with him, she will discover how the royal elves might be more tied to her own history than she ever suspected.
Trauma, handling corpses, death of parent (recounted), murder, mutilated corpses (elven children), dead bodies (elven children), cannibalism (brief mention)
Amparo Ortiz is the author of BLAZEWRATH GAMES and
DRAGONBLOOD RING. She was born in San Juan, Puerto
Rico, and currently lives on the islandโs northeastern coast.
Sheโs published short story comics in MARVELโS VOICES:
COMUNIDADES #1 and in the Eisner-award winning
PUERTO RICO STRONG. Sheโs also co-editor of the
upcoming OUR SHADOWS HAVE CLAWS, a young adult
horror anthology featuring myths and monsters from Latin
America. When sheโs not writing, she teaches ESL as a
college professor and watches a lot of K-pop videos.
Author’s Socials
Websiteย |ย Twitterย |ย Instagramย |ย Goodreads
Is Last Sunrise in Eterna on your TBR or does it sound like a book you want to read?
Special thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
Seven Faceless Saints (Seven Faceless Saints #1)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 7 February 2023
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Thriller
Panda Rating:
(4 pandas)
In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.
After her fatherโs murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt systemโtapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strong, and to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. But three years spent fighting in a never-ending war have left him with deeper scars than he wants to admitโฆ and a fear of confronting the girl he left behind.
Now a murderer stalks Ombraziaโs citizens. As the body count climbs, the Palazzo is all too happy to look the other wayโthat is, until a disciple becomes the newest victim. With every lead turning into a dead end, Damian and Roz must team up to find the killer, even if it means digging up buried emotions. As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinisterโand far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?
Discover whatโs lurking in the shadows in this dark fantasy debut with a murder-mystery twist, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kerri Maniscalco.
Various types of violence (shooting, poisoning, beheading), graphic descriptions of blood/bodies, death of parents/ friends/ siblings, a parent depicted with memory loss/confusion, PTSD and flashbacks, descriptions of war, prejudice, religious intolerance, hallucinations, paranoia, alcoholism, and mentions of self-harm.
Note: I was meant to read this for the blog tour last week until I went on hiatus because I wasn’t reading anything. I’m glad that I finished this book because it was a fantastic debut!
TL;DR: This was a strong YA/NA fantasy thriller debut that I really enjoyed! Unfortunately, I read this during a tumultuous personal time so it took me an uncharacteristically long time to read it; however, I’m 100% certain that if I had read this at any other time, I would’ve flown through it one sitting because it had that unputdownable quality that made me want to keep reading to learn the truth! Though not all the twists were entirely surprising, they did keep me on my toes and eager to see if my theories proved correct. While this story balances being plot and character driven very well, it was the characters who, IMO, made this a great read! I already can’t wait for the next book because I need to know what happensโdark things are definitely coming their way and I’m so keen to see just what it turns out to be.
Read More »
Hi friends, although I’m on hiatus at the moment I’ve scheduled this spotlight as I’m part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours for Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb.
Click the banner above or here to check out the other incredible bloggers on the blog tour!
Seven Faceless Saints (Seven Faceless Saints #1)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 7 February 2023
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Thriller
In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.
After her fatherโs murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt systemโtapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strong, and to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. But three years spent fighting in a never-ending war have left him with deeper scars than he wants to admitโฆ and a fear of confronting the girl he left behind.
Now a murderer stalks Ombraziaโs citizens. As the body count climbs, the Palazzo is all too happy to look the other wayโthat is, until a disciple becomes the newest victim. With every lead turning into a dead end, Damian and Roz must team up to find the killer, even if it means digging up buried emotions. As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinisterโand far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?
Discover whatโs lurking in the shadows in this dark fantasy debut with a murder-mystery twist, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kerri Maniscalco.
Various types of violence (shooting, poisoning, beheading), graphic descriptions of blood/bodies, death of parents/ friends/ siblings, a parent depicted with memory loss/confusion, PTSD and flashbacks, descriptions of war, prejudice, religious intolerance, hallucinations, paranoia, alcoholism, and mentions of self-harm.
But really, how good does this book sound? I’m still in the process of reading this right now and I’m looking forward to diving back in (y’know when my job stops murdering me ๐ญ) and giving it my full attention ASAP because I’m loving the mix of dark mystery and saints blessed magic. Something really sinister is going on and I can’t wait to find out what it is!
M. K. Lobb is a fantasy writer with a love of all things darkโ be it literature, humour, or general aesthetic. She grew up in small-town Ontario and studied political science at both the University of Western Ontario and the University of Ottawa. She now lives by the lake with her partner and their cats. When not reading or writing, she can be found at the gym or contemplating the harsh realities of existence.
Her debut novel SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS will be published February 7, 2023 by Little, Brown (Hachette). The sequel, DISCIPLES OF CHAOS, will follow in early 2024. M. K. is represented by Claire Friedman at InkWell Management.
Author’s Socials
Websiteย |ย Twitterย |ย Instagramย |ย Goodreads
Have you read Seven Faceless Saints or is it on your TBR?
Hi, friends! I’m back with another cover reveal today for A LONG TIME COMING by Meghan Quinn! This is a brand new, standalone romance will be released on January 10thย in all formats!
Donโt miss the fantastic cover below and get ready to fall in love with this sexy romance with a witty take on a romantic comedy classic, My Best Friend’s Wedding. Steamy, laugh-out-loud, and full of charm,ย these two best friends heat up the pages while proving true love might be right in front of you.
Today I’m shining a spotlight on FATTY FATTY BOOM BOOM: A MEMOIR OF FOOD, FAT, AND FAMILY by Rabia Chaudry. If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know that I don’t often read non-fiction because I just don’t have the brain bandwidth! ๐ But I do when food is incorporated into books so that’s why this one really caught my eye!
Special thanks to Katrina Tiktinsky from Algonquin Books for providing the digital ARC via NetGalley for this tour!
Fatty Fatty Boom Boom: A Memoir of Food, Fat, and Family
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Publication Date: 08 November 2022
Genre: Memoir, Non FIction
From the bestselling author and host of the wildly popularย Undisclosedย podcast,ย a warm, intimate memoir about food, body image, and growing up in a loving but sometimes oppressively concerned Pakistani immigrant family.
“My entire life I have been less fat and more fat, but never not fat.”According to family lore, when Rabia Chaudryโs family returned to Pakistan for their first visit since moving to the United States, two-year-old Rabia was more than just a pudgy toddler. Dada Abu, her fit and sprightly grandfather, attempted to pick her up but had to put her straight back down, demanding of Chaudryโs mother: โWhat have you done to her?โ The answer was two full bottles of half-and-half per day, frozen butter sticks to gnaw on, and lots and lots of American processed foods.
And yet, despite her parents plying her with all the wrong foods as they discovered Burger King and Dairy Queen, they were highly concerned for the future for their large-sized daughter. How would she ever find a suitable husband? There was merciless teasing by uncles, cousins, and kids at school, but Chaudry always loved food too much to hold a grudge against it. Soon she would leave behind fast food and come to love the Pakistani foods of her heritage, learning to cook them with wholesome ingredients and eat them in moderation. At once a love letter (with recipes) to fresh roti, chaat, chicken biryani, ghee, pakoras, shorba, parathay and an often hilarious dissection of life in a Muslim immigrant family,ย Fatty Fatty Boom Boomย is also a searingly honest portrait of a woman grappling with a body that gets the job done but that refuses to meet the expectations of others.
Chaudry’s memoirย offers readers a relatable and powerful voice on the controversial topic of body image, one that dispenses with the politics and gets to what every woman who has ever struggled with weight will relate to.
Read More » Hi, friends! I’m back with another cover reveal today for Untying the Knot by Meghan Quinn! You all know I love MQ’s romancesโthey’re fun, they’re a little wild, they’re sexy AF and in general, always a really good time. I don’t read a lot of “marriage in crisis” romances but I’m excited to see how MQ handles it!
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